ご機嫌(きげん)取(と)り

ごきげんとり
noun
flattery; currying favor; ingratiation
communication
1. flattery; currying favor; trying to please
The act of trying to win someone's favor or put them in a good mood, often through insincere or excessive pleasantries. Can also refer to the person who does this.
上司(じょうし)のご機嫌(きげん)取(と)りばかりしている。
He's always trying to curry favor with the boss.
ご機嫌(きげん)取(と)りをしても、彼女(かのじょ)の怒(いか)りは収(おさ)まらなかった。
Even trying to butter her up didn't calm her anger.
お菓子(かし)を買(か)ってきたのは、ご機嫌(きげん)取(と)りのつもりなんでしょう。
You bought sweets as a way to butter me up, didn't you?

Usage

ご機嫌(きげん)取(と)り has a somewhat negative connotation, implying insincerity or strategic flattery. It can refer to both the act (ご機嫌(きげん)取(と)りをする) and the person who does it.

Common collocations

  • ご機嫌(きげん)取(と)りをする (to try to curry favor)
  • ご機嫌(きげん)取(と)りに走(はし)る (to scramble to appease someone)
  • ご機嫌(きげん)取(と)りがうまい (to be good at flattery)

Related words

機嫌(きげん)を取(と)る is the verb phrase form with the same meaning.

general
Added 2026.3.5 17:39 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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